Portable golf chipping game and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A chipping game involves rolling a chipping receptacle and ball carrier on a surface and using a chipping club to hit a ball toward the center of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier is comprised of a circular housing having an outer peripheral edge that allows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier to roll on a surface until it falls on its left or right side. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier is further comprised of an inner concave surface that retains balls for storage.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/156,689, filed Mar. 4, 2021, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to golf game devices and, more specifically, to portable chipping family games and practice apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Golf games involving putting a golf ball or facsimile of such through a U-shaped hoop, cup, or automatic ball return mechanism abound. The concept of golf, embodied in family-oriented lawn games, have been a fascination with many. The game of golf itself has dramatically increased in popularity over the years and continues to bring in new players. Other skill-related aspects of the game of golf such as chipping have been more difficult to implement in family games as well as portable devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates side, top, perspective, and detail views of a chipping receptacle and ball carrier, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a prototype example of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the chipping receptacle and ball carrier, chipping balls, and chipping clubs for players, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the chipping receptacle and ball carrier being rolled on grass, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the chipping receptacle and ball carrier at a resting position after being rolled, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates players using a ball and chipping club to chip the ball toward the chipping receptacle and ball carrier, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

-   -   1.0. General Overview     -   2.0. Chipping Receptacle and Ball Carrier     -   3.0. Chipping Game Rules and Scenarios     -   4.0. Additional Embodiments     -   5.0. Extensions and Alternatives

1.0 General Overview

In an embodiment, a chipping receptacle and ball carrier is used to carry chipping balls. The chipping balls are constructed of any material that has a resilient property that allows the chipping balls to reactively rebound when hit with a chipping club. The chipping balls fit in the inner curvature of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier and are easily transported within the chipping receptacle and ball carrier. The chipping balls may be an equivalent size to regulation golf balls or any other size.

In an embodiment, the chipping balls are removed from the chipping receptacle and ball carrier. A player rolls the chipping receptacle and ball carrier on its outer peripheral edge toward a location away from the player. Once the chipping receptacle and ball carrier stops rolling and comes to a rest, it will fall onto its side. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier is now a target for chipping the chipping balls into. Each player uses a chipping club to try to hit the chipping balls into the chipping receptacle and ball carrier or to hit the chipping receptacle and ball carrier itself with the chipping ball.

2.0 Chipping Receptacle and Ball Carrier

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment a chipping receptacle and ball carrier is shown in a several aspect views. A first perspective view 101 a of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 illustrates that the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is circular in shape. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 has an outer peripheral edge 104, an inner concave surface 103, a left side 106, and a right side 105. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 may be constructed from synthetic material, semi-synthetic material, rubber, metal, wood, glass, or any other material that can shaped or molded.

The outer peripheral edge 104 of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 may be curved, flat, semi-curved with a flat centerline, or any other shape that allows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 to roll on a surface. The surface may be concrete, grass, artificial turf, carpet, dirt, etc. The outer peripheral edge 104 may have a surface that is contoured or textured such that the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 has an induced wobble or surface resistance as it rolls on a surface that forces the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 to roll a limited distance before falling on one of its sides.

The inner concave surface 103 is formed such that one or more chipping balls 107 may be inserted and retained in a secure fashion such that the chipping balls 107 do not freely fall out of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 and require some force to be exerted to remove a chipping ball from the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102. Thus, the overall size of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is such that the one or more chipping balls 107 may be retained by the inner concave surface 103 and also having an inner diameter that allows one or more chipping balls to be chipped into the center portion of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102.

The chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 has a left side 106 and right side 105 that may be substantially flat or slightly curved such that the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 can lay substantially flat on the left side 106 or the right side 105 on a surface upon coming to rest after being rolled on the surface.

A second perspective view 101 b shows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with inner concave surface 103 retaining chipping balls 107.

A top view 101 c shows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 retaining chipping balls 107.

A side view 101 d shows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with left side 106 and right side 105. An exploded side view 101 e shows chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 a closer view of inner concave surface 103 formed to retain chipping balls 107. Outer peripheral edge 104 is shown with a partially flat surface 108 and curved edges 109 a and 109 b.

Referring to FIG. 2, a prototype chipping receptacle and ball carrier is shown with a plurality of chipping balls retained within the prototype chipping receptacle and ball carrier.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is shown with chipping balls 107 retained within the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102. Chipping club 301 is also shown. Chipping club 301 is used to hit chipping ball 302 toward chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 during game play. The chipping club 301 has a face on its club head that allows the chipping club to hit chipping ball 302 at an angle, sending the chipping ball airborne, similar to a chipping wedge club in the game of golf.

Referring to FIG. 4, chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is shown rolling on a surface after being initially rolled by a player.

Referring to FIG. 5, chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is shown laying at rest after rolling a certain distance on the surface,

Referring to FIG. 6, players then begin hitting their chipping balls toward the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 using a chipping club.

3.0 Chipping Game Rules and Scenarios

In an embodiment, chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 may be used in a game that involves hitting a chipping ball with a chipping club. The game may involve any number of players. As an example, a game may include one to four players. The rules to play the game are as follows:

1. Each roll of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is called a SITUATION. Each SITUATION is worth one CHIP, unless two or more players tie for the lowest stroke count, in which case, the next SITUATION is worth an additional CHIP, and so on.

2. Players take turns rolling the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102. After the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 has been rolled out, each player takes their first stroke by hitting a chipping ball with a chipping club. The player whose chipping ball lands furthest away from the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 finishes play until they hit the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with their chipping ball (this can be called, “BINK THE BISCUIT”) or chips their chipping ball into the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 (this can be called, “SINK THE BISCUIT”). If a player SINKS THE BISCUIT, subtract one from their stroke count on that SITUATION. The next furthest out player then plays by hitting their chipping ball until they SINK IT OR BINK IT, and so on until every player has a stroke count for the SITUATION. The player with the lowest stroke count wins one CHIP. Again, if two or more players tie for the lowest stroke count, the next SITUATION is worth two CHIPS.

* In SITUATIONS where it makes sense for each player to take two strokes before the furthest out player “FINISHES UP,” players may decide to do so.

3. If a player SINKS THE BISCUIT on the first stroke of a SITUATION, they automatically win the CHIP or corresponding CHIP value. If a player BINKS THE BISCUIT on the first stroke of a SITUATION, the other players play on, trying to tie with a BINK on their first stroke, or SINKING THE BISCUIT on their second stroke.

4. Players must play the chipping ball on the path that the BISCUIT has travelled. If the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 rolls in between two particular trees, the player's chipping ball must take the same path through the same trees.

5. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 must roll to a location where it successfully falls completely over on one of its sides. If the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is leaning against an obstruction when it comes to rest, it shall be considered a FAILED BISCUIT.

6. Official games are played to 9 CHIPS.

Penalties

A one stroke PENALTY is added to a player's stroke count for the following:

1. OUT OF BOUNDS, in which case the player may drop their ball one club length from where their ball went out of bounds.

2. HITTING ANOTHER PLAYER'S BALL (playing another player's ball), in which case, the offended player may play their ball from the new location and the offending player shall play their correct ball and add a stroke to their SITUATION stroke count.

3. SCOOP SHOT, CARRY, or DOUBLE HIT SHOT, the offending player will add a stroke to their SITUATION stroke count.

4. FAILED BISCUIT: if a player fails to make a successful BISCUIT ROLL of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 after two attempts, then the next player shall take the ROLL for the offending player as well as the following ROLL.

Examples of Play

1. PLAYER A hits the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with their third stroke. PLAYER B hits the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with their 4th stroke. RESULT: PLAYER A wins one CHIP.

2. PLAYER A hits the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with their third stroke. PLAYER B SINKS THE BISCUIT on their fourth stroke. RESULT: TIE, PLAYER B subtracts a stroke for SINKING THE BISCUIT.

3. PLAYER A hits the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 with their third stroke. PLAYER B SINKS THE BISCUIT on their third stroke. RESULT: PLAYER B wins one CHIP.

4. If four SITUATIONS in a row have been ties, the next SITUATION is worth five CHIPS.

5. PLAYER A rolls the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 through two trees and proceeds to SINK THE BISCUIT without following the path of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 through the same two trees. RESULT: No Good. PLAYER A must keep playing and play back through the line of the chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102.

4.0 Additional Embodiments

In an embodiment, chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 may be used with regulation golf balls and golf clubs such that chipping receptacle and ball carrier 102 is used as a golf training and practice apparatus.

Note that, although separate embodiments are discussed herein, any combination of embodiments and/or partial embodiments discussed herein may be combined to form further embodiments.

5.0 Equivalents, Extensions, Alternatives and Miscellaneous

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is the invention and is intended by the applicants to be the invention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A chipping receptacle and ball carrier, comprising: a circular housing; the circular housing having an outer peripheral edge that allows the chipping receptacle and ball carrier to roll on the outer peripheral edge;
 2. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the inner concave surface is configured to retain one or more chipping balls within the chipping receptacle and ball carrier.
 3. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the inner concave surface is configured to retain one or more chipping balls within the chipping receptacle and ball carrier, and wherein the inner concave surface retains the one or more chipping balls such that the one or more chipping balls are removable by a user.
 4. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge is configured to have a surface that is contoured or textured such that the chipping receptacle and ball carrier has an induced wobble as it rolls on a surface.
 5. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge is configured to have a surface that is contoured or textured such that the chipping receptacle and ball carrier has a surface resistance as it rolls on a surface and causes the chipping receptacle and ball carrier to roll a limited distance before falling on one of its sides.
 6. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the circular housing further comprises: a left side; a right side; wherein the left side and the right side are substantially flat.
 7. The chipping receptacle and ball carrier of claim 1, wherein the circular housing further comprises: a left side; a right side; wherein the left side and the right side are slightly curved. 